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Flames seek fifth straight win

Jan 17, 2009 - 11:29 AM Phoenix (22-18-5) at Calgary (27-12-4), 10:00 p.m. EST

CALGARY, Alberta (Ticker) -- The Calgary Flames have done a valiant job establishing themselves as a powerhouse in the crowded Western Conference. Meanwhile, the Phoenix Coyotes are still figuring out how to just establish themselves.

Seeking their fifth straight victory, the Flames look to continue their surge against the Coyotes on Saturday.

The Flames have won 11 of 13 to take the lead in the Northwest Division and their most explosive triumph came on Thursday, when they handed the conference-leading San Jose Sharks their first loss in regulation at home since February 14, 2007. The Sharks had been 28-0-3 at HP Pavilion.

Defenseman Dion Phaneuf scored for the first time in 26 games late in the third period as the Flames notched their fourth winning streak of three games or more this season. Calgary's season-high mark came when it captured six straight wins from October 21-November 1.

Mikka Kiprusoff, who made 33 saves against the Sharks, leads the NHL with 27 wins.

Phoenix has won three of its last four games, including a 4-1 victory over the struggling Vancouver Canucks on Thursday.

Joakim Lindstrom recorded his first two-goal game of his career and Ilya Bryzgalov made 31 saves as the Coyotes improved to 1-1-0 on their current four-game road trip.